Scrub Daddy


Scrub Daddy is a cleaning tools company best known for a sponge that it manufactures, also called Scrub Daddy, that is in the shape of a smiley face. The product is made of a polymer which changes texture - soft in hot water, hard in cold water. As of 2019, Scrub Daddy had the highest revenue of any product successfully pitched on the ABC reality show Shark Tank.

History

After damaging a car, detailer Aaron Krause invented his own line of buffing and polishing pads. The company was acquired by 3M in August 2008. 3M did not purchase a line of sponges Krause had invented, leaving them to sit in his factory. Five years later, Krause used the remaining sponges to clean his dishes and lawn furniture. According to Krause, this is when he "realized his multi-million dollar idea."
According to the company's website, Scrub Daddy, Inc. was founded in 2012 with grassroots marketing. On the Shark Tank episode originally airing in October 2012, Lori Greiner made a 20% equity stake deal with Krause for $200,000. The following day, Greiner and Krause sold out of 42,000 sponges in under seven minutes on QVC. Greiner then helped Scrub Daddy to be sold in retail stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond. In January 2017, Scrub Daddy's total revenues surpassed $100 million – the highest of any Shark Tank product. As of October 2019, the company is valued at $209 million.

Products

Scrub Daddy is made from a strong "high-tech polymer". The texture changes in water: hard in cold, soft in hot. The original product is yellow. Krause has two patents on its design.

Other products

The now internationally recognized brand consists of more than 20 diverse products. Included in the collection are scouring pads, dual-sided sponges, sink organizers, soap dispensers and even household erasers.